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Matthew 16:27 (NIV) reads, "For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done."
Some people won't like that "reward." Alexander, for example, was an enemy of the Apostle Paul and was probably the individual most responsible for Paul's arrest and eventual execution. When Paul sensed that he hadn't long to live, he warned his young protege, Timothy, about Alexander: "Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message." Paul was confident of his own reward ["I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day..." (1 Timothy 4:7-8)]. He was just as confident that the Lord would eventually bring men like Alexander to face justice. Paul left "revenge" in the Lord's hands, trusting that God would give Alexander the "reward" he deserved.
Evil requires justice. After all, in John 15:15, Jesus called his disciples "friends." What kind of friend would Jesus be if he allowed his friends to be abused, bullied, tortured or killed without any move to hold the perpetrators responsible? Would Jesus be a friend if he allowed children to be molested, spouses to be beaten, or murderers to get by with their crimes and held no one accountable?
But let's be clear: Jesus doesn't want anyone to go to Hell. 2 Peter 3:9 clearly teaches that God "is patient...not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." But some refuse to repent; they choose the path they walk and it ends in Hell. God sends no one to Hell; folks send themselves by rebelling against God and refusing to turn from their sin. No one will be in Hell who doesn't deserve to be there.
On the other hand, no one in Heaven will deserve to be there! Since all of us have sinned and failed to live up to God's expectations (Romans 3:23), we all deserve to spend our eternity in Hell. Instead, Jesus offers us pardon for our sin and a better life. Romans 8:1 promises "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." Heaven will be populated by the folks who have accepted Jesus' offer of salvation, and whose lives demonstrate the change in their lifestyle and priorities.
Dr. Gary Hamlin provides a good example. After graduating from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1972, Dr. Hamlin embarked on his medical career, taking the same lucrative path as many of his colleagues. On April Fool's Day 1984, however, Hamlin became a Christian, and that altered his priorities. Hamlin said, "I lived the first 40 years of my life for Gary Hamlin's personal gain, but as I became obedient to Christ, He opened my eyes to other people who needed my help." Hamlin founded a Teen Challenge center in Missouri that offered medical help and free counseling to young people in trouble. When no one else would accept the position, Hamlin became Medical Director of the AIDS Project of the Ozarks, and he also provided free medical services to women at Lafayette House, a Joplin facility for battered women and their children. Hamlin stopped accepting insurance payments for his medical services, opting instead to charge just $25/visit for everyone and providing free services for those who could not afford to pay even that small amount. Noting Hamlin's April Fool's Day conversion, some called Hamlin a fool for giving away his medical knowledge too cheaply. Hamlin's response: "If I am a fool, I am fool for Christ."
Notice the contrast? Alexander selfishly chose to make money from the sale of idols instead of acknowledging the reality of monotheism. Alexander's greed prompted him to oppose Paul's preaching and ultimately cause Paul's death. Dr. Hamlin, on the other hand, chooses to give away free or low-cost medical services to those in need, trusting that God can take care of his own needs.
Both Hamlin and Alexander will get what they deserve. What will you get?
Mark Wilmoth
Pinehurst Christian Church
Marietta